Wings GM Ken Holland gets four-year extension

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland addresses the media at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit following the Wings’ elimination from the playoffs last season. The Wings have signed Holland to a four-year contract through the 2017-18 season. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

DETROIT >> Ken Holland has one goal when it comes to being an NHL general manager and that is to “build something that lasts for a while.”

That’s certainly something he’s been able to do as the GM of the Detroit Red Wings for the last 17 seasons.

On Thursday, the team rewarded Holland for his track record by giving him a four-year extension that will keep him as the Wings’ general manager through the 2017-18 season.

“There are a number of accomplishments I’m very proud of,” Holland said in a phone interview. “We’ve been in the playoffs 23 straight seasons and we’re one of two teams that have made the playoffs every year since the salary cap began.”

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Under Holland, who was named GM in 1997, Detroit has reached the postseason 17 consecutive seasons and have won the Stanley Cup three times.

“We’ve faced adversity the last two years and found a way to get into the playoffs,” said Holland, who was heading into the final year of his deal that had an option. “The league is tougher these days and more competitive. It’s very hard to make the playoffs.

“We have higher aspirations than being a bubble team,” Holland added. “I’m as motivated and energized today as I was when I got the job. We overhauled the team in the early 2000s and made a nice run. We’re in the process of overhauling the team again, but I believe we can compete for a playoff spot. I’m excited, I’m optimistic. That’s what motivates me.”

Prior to the salary cap the Wings, who have not had a top 10 selection in the NHL draft since 1991, were able to spend money freely, but did so wisely.

Last season Detroit had to rely on a number of youngsters in order to reach the playoffs.

“We’re trying to develop players that we hope can play their way into being Red Wings one day and support the players that have been here a while,” Holland sad. “I’m excited to see our young players make a good push for ice time.

“With the injuries we’ve suffered over the last couple of years, it’s been the depth of the organization that’s allowed us to stay in the race,” Holland continued. “It gives me optimism that we’ve got the depth in the organization we need. You’ve got to draft and develop in order to get that push from players. We have a lot of young players that look like they have a chance of being good players.”

Also under Holland, the Wings have won more games in the regular season (746) and playoffs games (115) than any other franchise. They also reeled off an NHL record 11 consecutive 100-point seasons, which ended after the 2011-12 season.

“We want to continue to be a playoff team, but we want to make noise in the playoffs,” Holland said. “That’s what motivates me.”

Detroit has won just one playoff round over the last three seasons.

“We want to go on a longer playoff run and compete for a Stanley Cup,” said Holland, who is 58 years old. “Our goal is we want to compete for our division and at the same time push some of our younger players and hope they play their way into the organization.”

Holland, who’s been with the organization for the past 31 seasons, began working as a scout before becoming the director of amateur of scouting and then assistant general manager.

Now the focus will be getting coach Mike Babcock signed to an extension.

“Let’s get to training camp and then we’ll sit down and see where we go,” Holland said.

Babcock is heading into the final year of a contract that pays him roughly $2 million a season.

Babcock, 51, just wrapped up his ninth season where he set a franchise record for wins and has led the Wings to a Stanley Cup and a two conference championships.

“I want him back behind the bench,” Holland said. “I respect the job he does for us. I respect his work ethic. I respect the job he did putting the young players into our system and sticking with them. I think if you write down a list of the best coaches in the National Hockey League he’s on that short list. I think many would have him on the top of that list.”

Babcock has also led Canada to two straight Olympic gold medals.

Send comments to chuck.pleiness@macombdaily.com and visit his blog at redwingsfront.wordpress.com